Errors in the operation of software and servers can happen in every company. Protecting yourself from these risks is important because you risk losing data and customer trust in a serious problem.
The most common risks
There are three most common categories of errors and risks:
- Encryption and blocking access to company data.
- Theft of customer and sales data.
- Domain theft – site addresses.
Encryption and blocking access to data. Data encryption means that the scammer got access and secured it for the company or entrepreneur. Employees cannot use them.
A large supplier of building materials has a website. The site integrates email and a CRM system with company and customer data. Fraudsters noticed an error on the site that gave them access to all data. Through it they launched a virus. The virus blocked the CRM system, mail, and the site itself. Now, no employee who has access to these services can use them.
Often the purpose of such encryption is to extort money. The attacker blocks the company’s resources and demands money from the owner to return the data to him. Often this is accompanied by data leakage: criminals get inside information about the company and can make it publicly available — for example, information about transactions and partners.
An open service port is the most common mistake that helps scammers gain access to data and encrypt it. According to the study, this error occurs on every tenth site.
Theft of customer and sales data. Nearly a quarter of SMBs have an unprotected database. As a result, a scammer can freely download data about customers, employees, and a company — for example, names, addresses, phone numbers, and transaction amounts.
A cybercriminal can get all the data that a client enters at different stages of working with the company’s website: filling out an application form on the landing page, registering on the website, and arranging delivery.
To steal data, it is enough for an attacker to detect errors that indicate that the database is open and simply guess the password and log in for it. Essentially, a scammer finds an open window and can steal customer contacts in minutes. To avoid this, you need to find out what kind of error opens access to the data.
Domain theft – site addresses. Another common cyber threat is the lack of domain verification, that is, the website address. It is found in every third company. This threat means that when buying the address, the company or entrepreneur did not confirm that the site would belong to them.
If the site does not have verification, an attacker can claim that he is the owner of it and gain rights to it. And the company or entrepreneur will no longer be able to use this address.
What threatens the business with the leakage of customer data
Leakage or data encryption is terrible for a company with a loss of reputation and profit. For example, a cyber-attack threatens to disrupt deliveries and cancel orders for an online store. Customers can’t buy products, so the business loses money every day that the site is down.
Partners of the company or entrepreneurs whose electronic resources have been attacked by fraudsters may refuse to cooperate or hold the company liable if the data affects their business.